Rivals on the Court, Teammates in the Fight Against Hunger: Georgetown vs. Syracuse Can Drive

February 1, 2012

The Syracuse Orange and Georgetown Hoyas have a long-standing tradition of battling on the basketball court. They are now joining together on the same team to combat hunger in their local communities.

“Can It! Rivals on the Court: Teammates in the Fight Against Hunger,” is a University-wide interfaith initiative that will kick off on both campuses in February to collect canned food for local food banks. The initiative is part of the White House Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge in which both universities are participating.

“Syracuse University is proud to partner with Georgetown University in this exciting new initiative,” says Tiffany Steinwert, dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse. “While campuses all across the country are engaged in their own individual campaigns for President Obama's Interfaith and Community Service Challenge, our campuses decided to join forces. We wanted to embody the slogan 'Better Together' by coming together, despite rivalries, for the common good.”

Georgetown will sponsor canned food donation drives and drop-off sites on campus in the week before the game from February 1-8. The donations will benefit the Capital Area Foodbank.

"Georgetown is thrilled to partner with Syracuse as teammates in the fight against hunger,” says Melody Fox Ahmed, assistant director for programs and operations at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown. “Both our communities are dedicated not only to our excellent basketball teams, but to coming together to help those who need it most. The Georgetown community is looking forward to being 'better together' with Syracuse during the Can It! drive and at our on the court match-up Feb. 8!"

For more information on the Can It! Drive and the White House Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, contact Melody Fox Ahmed. Drop off cans at Vital Vittles in the Leavey Center, GU Bookstore, Lauinger Library lobby, Leo's Dining Hall, Kennedy and New South Hall lobbies, Campus Ministry, the Center for Social Justice, Research, and Teaching, and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Follow the drive on Twitter at #canit.